Detroit Lions: Bob Quinn senselessly stands pat at the trade deadline

The NFL trade deadline has come and gone, and other than trading for Everson Griffen a week ago, the Detroit Lions stood pat.

It seems like about the worst thing that general manager Bob Quinn could have opted to do heading into Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. The Detroit Lions once again have failed to establish a clear-cut direction for themselves.

Quinn went out and acquired veteran defensive end, Everson Griffen, for a conditional sixth-round draft choice in the 2021 NFL Draft just over a week ago. At the time of the deal, Griffen was expected to be a rotational piece with the surging Romeo Okwara, keeping fresh pass-rushers on the football field.

Now Griffen is needed to step in and be an every-down end with arguably Detroit’s top overall defender; Trey Flowers landed on the injured list. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Flowers grades out as the top Detroit defender with an overall mark of 83.3. That overall score ranks 7th out of 113 candidates.

More from Detroit Jock City

For comparison purposes, PFF has safety Duron Harmon ranked third at his position with an overall grade of 78.7, and linebacker Jamie Collins ranked tenth with a 72.8 mark. Needless to say, the trio of former Patriots are indeed leading this Lions defense.

The Lions also suffered a devastating loss in Sunday’s trucking from the Colts; star receiver Kenny Golladay is expected to miss time due to a hip injury. Golladay did not return to the game Sunday in the second half, and there is still a possibility he also lands on the IR list.

With the Detroit Lions having a 3-4 record through their first seven games of the season and suffering a pair of notable losses, Bob Quinn needed to identify a definite direction Tuesday. Perhaps the ramifications from ownership stating the team must be playing meaningful games come December, or the current regime will be looking for real estate elsewhere played a role in the decision making.

Quinn should have opted to sell rather than stand-pat understanding the state of the current roster.

Detroit has been performing like a below-average team; now, what do you expect will happen after losing their top playmaker on offense and most dependable defender? We don’t need to paint a picture; you already know what the end result is.

Quinn had an opportunity to move pending free agents such as Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, or even Kenny Golladay if the organization wanted to maximize the return of their future assets. It’s a tough pill to swallow, the idea of trading Golladay, but in reality, it’s a real possibility.

After seeing Keenan Allen, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp, all landing new deals, yet Quinn remains reluctant to dish out $20 million per season, it may be the beginning of the end of Golladay in Detroit.

Next. Lions should focus on using Quintez Cephus not Mohamed Sanu. dark

Don’t be shocked if the Lions try and deal the standout pass-catcher this upcoming winter for future assets if the current management regime survives the season.

Home/Detroit Lions